When I first started researching our family tree, I felt the family was so far apart, not only in miles but also with communicating. I started researching first with family members and was surprised to find I had so many nice relatives that were more than willing to give information and talk about what they knew of the family. From there, the Ontario Archives,the Internet, Cemeteries, Churches and Libraries have provided so much valuable information. I find the family seems to keep in contact more often since I started pulling the weeds out from around the tree. Not only have I made new family aquaintances, but this little project has also strengthened the bonds that already existed. I am so blessed to have the extended family that I have, and also to know that we are made of the same blood and guts of our ancestors.

One of the more interesting family members that I interviewed was my Grand Aunt Mary. I could give her a name and she could tell you the person's birthdate, anniversary date and the date the person died. This lady is ninety-two years old with a memory as sharp as it was when she was a kid. She and her husband still live in the house they raised their children in, and their claim to fame is that they were found to be the longest married couple living in Renfrew County.

Research at the Ontario Archives is like leaving planet earth. Once I enter the building the only thing that exists for me are the microfilms and books. So much information has been gleaned from the data that I found here. I love coming home after a day of research at the archives and putting it all in some sort of order that gives me a story I didn't have before. An example was finding the deaths of 17 St Louis, all in a 6 week period, the result of an epidemic.

Walking the Cemetries I also enjoy. My mother did this with me as she knew the names to look for. Not only did it allow some quality time with my mother, but some interesting stories has now been journalized to keep for our children.

I have enjoyed all my researches and the more I find about my ancestors the more I want to know. I just can't stop. I have not as yet, planned a trip to Ireland or France, but hmmm, it is a thought. It could be next....